Bellator in His Past, Zach Makovsky Drops to Flyweight, Hopes to Catch the UFC’s Eye

Following a very successful two year stretch where he won eight fights in a row and captured the Bellator 135-pound championship, Zach “Fun Size” Makovsky stumbled in 2012, losing two straight fights, his title and his promotional home.

“It was not the best results for a year that I’ve had,” said Makovsky. “I think I made some mistakes maybe in my approach against (Eduardo) Dantas. I think I could have been more aggressive. I think he is the best guy I’ve fought, and I don’t want to take anything away from him.

“In my fight against (Anthony) Leone, I thought I was the better fighter going in, and I just didn’t perform my best in that fight. I don’t think I did what I needed to do and made some bad decisions in that fight.”

“I don’t think there is one thing drastically wrong in either fight,” he said. “I think I just made some bad decisions and need to be smarter in my fights and make sure I make good decisions.

“I didn’t have too good of results, but I honestly feel I’m improving as a fighter.”

Makovsky will have an opportunity to rebound in a new promotion when he makes his Cage Fury Fighting Championships debut Saturday night at the Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, N.J., in a 125-pound title eliminator bout against Claudio Ledesma.

“He’s got a pretty good amount of experience and has a couple fights in Bellator, and I think he’s pretty well-rounded as a fighter,” said Makovsky of Ledesma. “I think jiu-jitsu is his biggest strength, but he’s definitely very capable of fighting everywhere. He’s got a more boxing-style attack standing, and has shown he can definitely wrestle too.

“It’s going to be a fight that’s mixed with ground work and stand-up, so I’m preparing for everywhere. As well-rounded as I think he is, I think I’m better in every aspect and will be able to win the fight wherever it goes.”

Makovsky explained his move to flyweight as not only a physical necessity born from recent fights, but to also help lead his career in a new direction.

“I didn’t want to drop down to 125, but the last three guys I fought walk around over 165, while I walk around at 145, so there’s a significant difference in size,” he said.

“As the sport continues to grow, people are going to get more scientific at weight cutting and if you want to compete with the best guys, you’ve got to evolve with the sport or get left behind. So I think this new weight class will have more opportunity for me.”

As for where those opportunities lay, Makovsky’s eyes are affixed on one promotion in particular.

“The UFC doesn’t have a ton of 125-pound guys on their roster, so they’re looking to expand the division,” he said. “Hopefully I can drop down and get a couple solid wins and make a statement that I deserve to be among the best at flyweight in the world, which I truly do believe I am.”